Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
October Learning
October was a fascinating month with several new initiatives underway. We began working with our first agile business development client using a process called Kanban. The intention is to accelerate the business development process significantly by using a Kanban...
Recent Podcasts
The Whittaker Report Episode 31 An Interview with Vern Schultz
Dec 31, 2025 • 00:28:44
Vern Schultz, SIOR, has been active in Chicago-area commercial real estate for more than 35 years. He joined Colliers in 1977 and currently serves as an Executive Vice President in the Industrial Advisory Group, representing tenants and owners throughout the Chicago market. Since joining Colliers, Vern has completed more than…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 30 - An Interview with Ashley & Eric Canada of Blane Canada AI
Sep 11, 2025 • 00:35:30
Eric has been a pioneer in applying technology to economic development for over 30 years, and together with Ashley—who brings deep expertise in sales and marketing—they’ve transformed Blane Canada into a leader in AI and automation for business development. We’re going to talk about where economic development is headed, how…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 29 An Interview with Dennis Pruitt, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
Apr 29, 2025 • 00:33:16
Dennis Pruitt, SVP, is the Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. He leads the Chamber’s business recruitment and expansion efforts, economic research, industry sector development, and destination retail initiatives. He also oversees the Greater Oklahoma City Partnership, a 10-county regional economic development alliance. With…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 28 - An Interview with Jen Wakefield, APR, President and CEO at Greater Richmond Partnership
Mar 12, 2025 • 00:27:24
Jennifer Wakefield. Jen is the President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, where she’s been driving strategic growth and investment in the region since 2021. With over two decades of experience in economic development, marketing, and strategic planning, she’s led transformative projects in both Richmond and Orlando, boosting business…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 27 - An Interview with Barry Matherly, CEcD
Jan 29, 2025 • 00:20:52
In this episode, we hear from Barry Matherly, CEcD, President and CEO of Hickey Global, a full service economic development consulting firm. With over 28 years in economic development, Barry has been helping communities to prosper by creating opportunities for new investment and job growth. As a certified economic development…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 26 an Interview with Kate Engel, Executive Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus
Apr 26, 2024 • 00:17:26
In this episode we hear from Kate Engel, Managing Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus. Kate Engel. Kate is the interim executive director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation owned by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Kate’s primary responsibility is to supervise NICDC staff, direct business operations…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 25 - An Interview with Dr. Donald T. Iannone.
Jan 14, 2024 • 00:35:49
In this episode we hear from Dr. Donald T. Iannone, a poet, author, philosopher, and professor of theology. Don shares with us his view of the future of Economic Development and trends impacting the profession. He discusses the longterm impace of COVID on our mind, body and spirit. Do has…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 24 An Interview with Mark James, CEcD, Utility Practice Lead, Hickey Global
Dec 14, 2023 • 00:37:11
In this episode, Mark James discusses the electric utility industry role in site selection, current trends within the industry, electrical capacity, supply chain issues and the need to dramatically invest in the expansion of the grid. Mark also shares with us the future of economic development as seen from his…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 23 - An Interview with Karl Dye, President/CEO of TRIDEC
Nov 24, 2023 • 00:28:59
In this episode, we have a conversation with Karl Dye, President/CEO of TRIDEC (Tri Cities Development Council) serving Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington State. Karl discusses the opportunities for economic development organizations in decarbonization, climate change, and the electric power shortage. He also describers where he sees the economic…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 22 - An Interview with Lee Crume, President & CEO of BE NKY
Jul 20, 2023 • 00:19:11
Learn about BE NKY, a regional economic development organization and hear from Lee Crume, President & CEO of the organization as he describes the success they are having and his view of the changing nature of economic development.
Recent Posts
Becoming Your Own Brand
By Joel Burgess According to clinical psychologist Judith Sills, Ph.D., thinking of yourself as a “Coke” or a “Wheaties” helps you take control of your future in a rapidly shifting marketplace. The idea of developing a personal brand addresses what she calls a hard...
Building Relationships: The Need for Content
By Todd Smithee Over the last several months we reviewed a number of keys to developing long-term, profitable relationships. We discussed the importance of having well-defined processes for maintaining regular communications with potential customers. We also...
Courage, Faith, and Confidence
By Dean Whittaker Are we headed for an economic recession or merely a slowdown of our current rate of growth? According to George Erickcek, an economist with the Upjohn Institute, it will likely be a slowdown. George pointed out that our economic strength lies in...
Indian Companies Invest $10 billion in the US in 2007, Up 150 Percent Since 2006
By Vidhan Rana Mahindra USA, a subsidiary of $22-billion-a-year Mahindra & Mahindra based in India, is launching its hybrid diesel trucks and a SUV in the United States in 2009. The company expects to set up three assembly plants in the United States, one of which...
Tech Predictions
By Jim Bruckbauer As Economic Development professionals, we need to keep track of various trends in technology and how we can apply (or not apply) these trends to reach our long-term goals. As we well know, technology is having a profound impact in almost every aspect...
The Joy of Tea
By Maria O'Connell I have recently assumed the habit of tea-drinking. When I caught a terrible cold in the heart of flu season this winter, I needed something warm to soothe my aching throat and coffee was not appealing. Therefore, I raided my friend’s tea cabinet,...
Schedule a Consultation
Get In Touch
The Whittaker Report
Sign up to receive helpful tools and insightful posts.
Phone
616.403.5076
Address
156 West 11th Street
Suite 107
Holland, MI 49423
Latest
Baby Care Market
By Brittany Ryzenga I recently gave birth to my second child in February. Our first was born five years ago and as I returned to the baby aisles months ago, I was overwhelmed by the unfamiliar selection of baby products that had evolved and grew in just five short...
Looking at the Brighter Side
By Sambridhi Shrestha Today the world is facing a pandemic, COVID-19. While the entire human society is in obligation to stay inside their houses, doctors are fighting a war. The silent roads portray a thousand messages, a message from the ones who fought and...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.